Monday, March 8, 2010

Energy Efficient New Homes

Energy efficient new homes that save money on utility bills, offer greater comfort and better performance, and help to protect the environment are available to homebuyers through a partnership with Shea Homes and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ENERGY STAR Program.

"Shea Homes continually strives to provide environmentally friendly options for our home buyers increasing the value of our homes, and reducing our reliance on the earth's natural resources," said Ken Peterson, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Shea Homes. "Partnering with the EPA's ENERGY STAR program is just another way for us to enhance the lives of our home owners. Not only are these homes ENERGY STAR rated, but they go hand in hand with Shea's initiative of Superiology to build homes which are energy wiser, eco-friendlier, designed smarter and built better."

ENERGY STAR qualified homes offer homebuyers all the features they want in a new home, plus energy-saving features like effective insulation systems, high performance windows, tight construction and ducts, properly-sized and installed efficient heating and cooling equipment, efficient products, and third-party verification of energy performance.

ENERGY STAR rated homes must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20-30% more efficient than standard homes. To be considered ENERGY STAR rated, all homes must include improved insulation, high-efficiency HVAC systems, high-efficiency lighting and appliances, as well as Low-E, vinyl windows. And, homes at these communities will be tested and inspected to ensure they meet the requirements.

"Most homebuyers focus on what's outside the walls," said Sam Rashkin, National Director for EPA's ENERGY STAR Homes Program, "but they also need to look behind the walls for the energy-efficient features found in ENERGY STAR qualified homes that help ensure comfort, quiet, improved indoor air quality and low utility bills for years to come.

New Homes Builder

Shea Homes' ENERGY STAR rated communities are Granite Ridge and Mountain Shadows at Arroyo Mountain Estates in Litchfield Park and Entrada and Mountain View Estates at Vistancia in Peoria.